MXR Bass Compressor M87 settings - Page 2

iamdenialNJ · #21 01-22-2013, 11:15 PM

I'm usually a slow release with a fast attack but I'm going to mess around with a fast release and a slow attack. Thanks for the recommendations guys!

scottfeldstein · #22 01-22-2013, 11:29 PM

What a good thread. I'm glad you revived it. It's helpful just to reread everything that's already here.

**Rick Blanc** · #23 01-23-2013, 05:04 AM

Well, this is all new to me actually. I've been playing bass since I was 12 in 1973 and the MXR compressor I bought myself this December is my first effect of any kind. So when I searched for settings this thread came up. I keep noodling around with the settings and this thread has been very helpful. I seem to like settings where it's transparent when playing finger style but kicks in to control my slap volume.

eshears · #24 01-23-2013, 09:53 AM

I'm using the M87 as a limiter to control volume peaks after a whole bunch of effects (almost always on with this band). I think I have decent settings now, but I'd like to hear some different opinions.thoughts. What do guys think would be good settings for this application?

Right now I've got it set to 12:1, attack around 2:00, release around noon.

funkyebk · #25 01-23-2013, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamdenialNJ

I'm usually a slow release with a fast attack but I'm going to mess around with a fast release and a slow attack. Thanks for the recommendations guys!

Are there any descriptive words for what a Fast Release/Slow Attack sounds (or should sound) like?

scottfeldstein · #26 01-23-2013, 02:55 PM

Yeah. You'll get the full volume out of the note attack because the comp doesn't kick in instantly (slow attack). The other reason you get full volume out of note attacks is because the compressor isn't still compressing from the last note. That is, it released fast and is back to doing nothing by the time you go for the next note.

So, what fast release/slow attack sounds like is some volume control that doesn't dim your note attacks.

funkyebk · #27 01-23-2013, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfeldstein

...said stuff

You sir, are a scholar and a gentleman.

scottfeldstein · #28 01-23-2013, 03:07 PM

You should be aware, though, that the M87 doesn't really go all that slow on the attack knob. You might need to crank it as slow as it'll go to get the effect you're looking for.

scottfeldstein · #29 01-23-2013, 03:21 PM

This all got me thinking, so I went to the mountain for wisdom and re-read this:

http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/setup.shtml

"Attack and release are the trickiest settings, as they are completely dependent on personal taste and playing style and expectations. A slow attack will allow more of your natural note attack though, allowing for the greatest articulation and pick/pluck crispness; but it also allows more sharp peaks (from aggro playing, boomy low notes, etc.) through at the beginning of each note, so you may need to shorten the attack in order to catch those spikes. It's a balancing act. The release time not only affects how each note sustains and trails off, but also affects the attack of the next note you play. If the release time from one note crossing the threshold has not completely passed by the time you play the next note, then the compressor will still be reducing your signal level overall when you hit that next note. This can be useful if you want consistent smoothness and your playing is steady with no long rests; inconsistent playing will result in inconsistent signal levels and weird peaks after a long rest. If you want the comp to react only to each note, you have to choose a very short release time; but this can result in a choppy or unnatural sound, with undesirable artifacts known as "pumping and breathing". So the release time is the parameter that will require the most experimentation to get decent results. As with the ratio, sometimes the only "control" over these parameters is to buy a pedal that is preset with attack/release times that just happen to meet your needs. Also note that some comps will distort bass signals if the attack or release times are too short."

CPplaysBASS · #30 01-23-2013, 08:55 PM

All my basses are passive Fenders, and I use compression to help focus the overall tone. More of a "control-some-of-the boom" rather than an EQ issue. Finger-style, basic classic rock stuff.

I swore by the BBE OptoStomp until my first one broke (yellow/red version), and the next two ("monocle" versions) had QC issues right out of the factory. I have no clue whatsoever what the "settings" of the BBE OptoStomp would be since it only had volume and threshold controls (I had the threshold set to 2:00), but that's what I was searching for in a more reliably built pedal with the MXR.

I ended up with settings on the MXR M87 in the same neighbourhood as most people here.

Ratio is usually at 8:1, sometimes 4:1.

I have output at 10:00 for unity gain and input at 12:30.

Release is at 2:00 and attack at 10:30.

Those settings seem to work for me across the board in general ... I leave my comp on most of the time.

Dredmahawkus · #31 01-25-2013, 06:37 PM

All I know is I dont think I like using my M87 I bought the other day! I feel like I am cheating! I actually sound like I have been playing for 30 years and sound great....its kinda freaking me out.....do people play on stage with theirs?

scottfeldstein · #32 01-25-2013, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dredmahawkus

do people play on stage with theirs?

You're joking, yes? Of course!

eshears · #33 02-03-2013, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eshears

I'm using the M87 as a limiter to control volume peaks after a whole bunch of effects (almost always on with this band). I think I have decent settings now, but I'd like to hear some different opinions.thoughts. What do guys think would be good settings for this application?

Right now I've got it set to 12:1, attack around 2:00, release around noon.

Anyone have any input?

scottfeldstein · #34 02-03-2013, 11:26 PM

12:1 is pretty aggressive. Your other settings seem pretty neutral.

I don't use the comp for controlling my other effects, I use it to control ME--at the beginning of the chain, right after my tuner. So YMMV.

alec · #35 02-04-2013, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eshears

I'm using the M87 as a limiter to control volume peaks after a whole bunch of effects (almost always on with this band). I think I have decent settings now, but I'd like to hear some different opinions.thoughts. What do guys think would be good settings for this application?

Right now I've got it set to 12:1, attack around 2:00, release around noon.

From the manual:

Quote:

LIMITING
Compression and Limiting are similar in process but differ in degree of compression.
High compression ratios 12:1 or 20:1 with fast attack and release settings are considered to be limiting.
With your Bass Compressor, the 12:1 ratio setting produces ‘soft’ limiting, while the 20:1 produces ‘hard’ limiting, or ‘brick wall’ limiting with the fastest attack and release settings.
In contrast, to get the classic ‘squishy’ limiting effect, dial in a slow release time (CCW) with a fast attack.

So fast attack and release (clockwise), threshold/input set low enough to only limit the loud signals, and a 12:1 or 20:1 ratio.

dave_bass5 · #36 02-04-2013, 03:40 AM

I put mine up for sale just before christmas but then decided to keep it. For my usual style of (pick) playing i dont need it, but im trying to loose the pick and play all finger style. For this im finding the MX87 invaluable. My technique is all over the place at the moment but having the compressor keep things a bit tidier is really helping.

Dredmahawkus · #37 02-10-2013, 11:42 AM

I cant get the LEDs to light up till my input knob is turned up like almost all the way....is that normal?

scottfeldstein · #38 02-10-2013, 12:40 PM

Is the signal into it coming directly from your bass? What kind of bass?

GroovinOnFunk · #39 05-07-2013, 02:12 PM

gonna go ahead and revive this thread as I just got one of these. do you think the following settings are good for emphasizing PUNCH (and string to string volume balance)?
Ratio 8:1
Attack 9:00
Release 3:00
Input, Output, noon. (input such that my average fingerstyle pluck triggers maybe a -3 reduction.

scottfeldstein · #40 05-07-2013, 03:01 PM

Hm. Well the Attack on the M87 is apparently pretty fast already... if by "punch" you mean you want strong note attacks to come through... then yeah you probably want the Attack knob set pretty low, as you are doing. I think. But the release might interfere if it's set at 3. At that level the attack of your second note might get squashed because the compression from the first note is still in effect. Depends how fast you're playing, too, I guess.

Everything I just wrote is probably wrong.